Sweeping machine tractor attachment for sports grounds

ABSTRACT

Sweeper attachment includes frame connectable to hydraulic lifting gear of a tractor. Collector having open front is pivotally mounted within frame; cable provided for tipping collector to empty it. Collector swings by gravity back to litter-receiving position, and held therein by releasable latch. Rotatable brush in front of collector sweeps litter into collector. Relatively large wheels support sweeper attachment in vicinity of brush, and smaller casters support back of attachment. Height of ground wheels adjustable with respect to frame.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Derek Burtt Hargreaves Adlington, near Macclesfield; Erie Stanllortll, Macclestield; Edward Hobbs, Poynton, all of, England [21] Appl. No. 780,792 [22] Filed Dec. 3, 1968 [45] Patented July 27, 1971 [73] Assignee "Skis" Equipment (Mncelesfield) Limited [54] SWEEPING MACHINE TRACTOR ATTACHMENT FOR SPORTS GROUNDS 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 15/83 [51] lnt.Cl.; E0111 1/04 [50] Field of Search 15/79, 83--86, 340

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,268,059 12/1941 Parker et al. 15/83 2,684,496 7/ 1954 Lull 15/83 2,697,846 12/1954 Wilcox et a1. 15/83 2,767,414 10/1956 Parker et al. 15/83 3,337,890 8/1967 Schmidt, Jr.... 15/83 3,444,583 5/ 1969 Laurel 15/83 X FOREIGN PATENTS 154,738 1/1954 Australia 15/82 983,503 2/1965 Great Britain 15/83 Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts AttorneyBreitenfeld and Levine PATENT EU JUL27 l9?! SHEET 1 0F 3 PATENTED JUL27 12m SHEET 2 [IF 3 INVENTORS: Dawn: 8. llnmnves am SMAII Fak m GBEYQR Amman:

SWEEPING MACHINE TRACTOR ATTACHMENT FOR SPORTS G ROU NDS This invention relates to a sweeping machine, for at-' tachment to a tractor suitable for use particularly but not exclusively on sports grounds, parks and other large recreational and ornamental areas.

Maintenance equipment for such areas necessarily includes a tractor with hydraulic lifting gear and a variety of attachments for use on the ground, some of these, such as ganged mowers, being merely constructed as'self-supporting and self-levelling trailer units on the ground to be drawn by the tractor, and other, such as cultivators for the turf, being adapted for 3-point attachment to the hydraulic lifting gear of the tractor for lifting and lowering but depending on such attachment for level control and having rotary implements adapted to be driven independently or directly from the power takeofi point to the tractor, for working the turf.

Compared with mechanical road sweepers, of which there are many types already in use and which are usually an integral part of a mechanically propelled vehicle, including storage space to hold the sweepings, a mechanical sweeper for a sports ground is required to meet quite different problems. For instance, as regards a football ground, apart from occasional use for brushing the turf, for example to remove dew, or sweeping up, leaves, it frequently has to be used to remove a very substantial quantity of litter, mainly paper and soft sweepable material but which may include hard objects such as bottles thrown onto the ground or discarded by spectators. The ability to collect such a wide range of objects is of course of importance as is also their discharge from a collector or holder therefor.

A mechanical sweeper for such purpose must therefore be conceived as an attachment to an agricultural tractor, the large tired wheels of which will do a minimum of damage to the turf, or the damaged surface revealing the soil left after the game. lts litter holder must be of adequate capacity yet not of undue weight to make use of the maximum lifting and carrying ability of the tractor hydraulic lifting gear and controllable preferably from the tractor seat. The sweeping machine must be adapted for frequent emptying so that the collected litter may if desired be deposited in convenient heaps for subsequent easy disposal by other means.

Another requirement for such a sweeper is that it must be easily maneuverable for steering the tractor without having to use the hydraulic gear to lift it clear of the ground, though this facility may still be quite frequently necessary as when turning to run back alongside the track of a previous pass.

Also, as such hydraulic lifting gear is not intended for supporting an implement when in use at a predetermined height from the ground, the implement must embody its own groundengaging support, which by reason of the triangulation of the said lifting gear will also determine the front-to-rear level of the implement. The provision of such ground-engaging support or supports poses the problem of there being an effective support without carrying too much weight, so that it or they may be as small as possible while permitting at least a substantial degree of maneuverability of the tractor with the attached sweeper in a working position, i.e., not raised by the hydraulic lifting gear.

The object of the present invention is a sweeper attachment for a tractor, constructed to provide the aforesaid requirements for use on a sports ground or other areas as aforesaid.

Another object of the invention is to enable a tractor drive while seated on the tractor to observe the discharge of sweepings into a neat pile and to continue a line of sweeping without disturbing the deposited pile.

Yet another object of the invention is to improve the effectiveness of sweeping which may be attained with a sweeper moving over uneven ground.

The present invention includes a sweeping machine for attachment to a tractor provided with hydraulic lifting gear, the

said machine comprising a frame provided forwardly with coupling means for connection to the tractor lifting gear connection with ground-engaging means; sweeping mechanism supported by said frame and provided with driving means; a sweepings collector tiltably mounted as a 'unit on the frame rearwardly of the sweeping mechanism and movable relative to the frame between a normal or receiving position and a tilted position for discharge of collected sweepings forwardly in front of said unit; and control means adapted for operation from the tractor to effect, while the frame is raised by the hydraulic lifting gear, tilting of the sweepings collector between said normal or receiving and tilted positions.

The invention also includes a sweeping machine for attachment to a tractor, the said machine comprising a frame having a front part and a rear part; sweeping mechanism including a brush rotatable about an axis of rotation and mounted on said front part; ground wheels on the front part for giving support from the ground to said part adjacent said brush;coupling means for connecting said front part to the tractor; ground engaging means on said rear part of the frame for giving support to said rear part; a sweepings collector mounted on said rear part of the frame, and a pivotal connection between said front part and said rear part of the frame, whereby, with said ground wheels maintaining contact with the ground to determine the height of the brush axis of rotation above the ground the rear part of the frame is able to move up and down relatively to the front part as the sweeping machine is moved over uneven ground substantially without causing variation in the height of the said axis of rotation above the ground.

The sweeping machine aforesaid may be further chara terized in that the said frame is substantially a closed rectangular figure in plan view with the sweeper mechanism and the tipable sweepings collector mounted within such figure; or further characterized in that the ground-engaging elements consist of a pair of caster-mounted wheels attached to the frame adjacent to its rear corners; or further characterized by self-engaging catch means to hold the sweepings collector in its working position, means for releasing said catch and means for imparting a tipping movement to the sweepings collector to discharge its contents from its receiving end; or further characterized in that the sweepings collector has a substantially impervious lower part which may be provided with drainage holes to allow the escape of residual or surplus moisture and an open mesh upper part to provide an unladen center of gravity below the pivot when the collector is in its working position.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan and FIG. 2 is an elevation of one example of a sweeping machine made in accordance with the present invention, the rear wheels and points of attachment of the tractor being diagrammatically indicated.

FIG. 3 shows the sweeping machine in a raised position when lifted by the hydraulic lifting gear of the tractor and with the sweepings collector in a tipped position.

As shown, the sweeping machine comprises a rectangular frame a front transverse member 10 of which carries brackets ll, 12 and 13 for attachment to the hydraulic lifting gear of an agricultural tractor the rear wheels 14 of which are shown. lmmediately behind such front member 10 is a rotary brush 15 adapted to be driven by suitable transmission means (not shown) from the power takeoff point of the tractor, the bearings (not shown) for the brush being carried by polygonal end plates 16 attached to the ends of the forward frame member. Each end plate 16 carries, at its outer surface a pivotal arm 16a with a stub axle 16b on which is mounted a ground wheel 160. The end of the arm 16a remote from the pivot point has a hole 16d therein and a series of holes 16s in the plate 16 enable the arm 16a and therefore the ground wheel l6b carried thereby to be adjusted. By appropriate setting of both arms 16a therefore the working height of the brush 15 can be varied. To these end plates are also pivotally secured a U-shaped part of the frame which is also triangulated in elevation, having in its length pivot brackets 17 for a tipping sweepings collector (described later) forward pivoted catches 18 and rear brackets 19 for the stems 20 of castor wheels 21.

The sweepings collector has a substantially impervious lower part 22 except perhaps for drainage holes not shown and an open wire mesh upper part 23, which may be detachable, suitably braced for rigidity. A cable 24 enables the catch to be released against the action of a return spring 25, while a further cable 26 enables the collector to be tipped to discharge its load when the attachment has been raised as shown in FIG. 3. In this position a chain connection 28 between the two parts of the frame serves to support the rear part of the frame. In sweeping operation the chain connection 28 is slack. A guard or cover 27 is provided over the brush to direct the sweepings up and over into the collector.

In operation, with the tractor and sweeping machine on level ground, the usual linkage adjustment of the tractor enables the sweeping machine to be set with the caster wheels 21 on the ground for the desired relative height of the brush 15 at the required working height relative to the ground. The tractor, with its sweeping machine as shown in F I08. 1 and 2 may be driven over the sports ground and steered, the caster wheels turning automatically as required to follow the direction of movement of the rear end of the machine. When the sweepings collector is sufficiently full and the sweeping machine is conveniently positioned on the ground the machine may be raised by the hydraulic lifting gear, the holding catches 18 at each side released by means of the cable 24 and the sweepings collector then being to tip and discharge its load, the tipping position being shown in FIG. 3. After tipping, if the tipped pile is high, the tractor may be reversed for a short distance with the sweepings collector still raised, so that its open end can swing back by gravity to its horizontal positions, the catches 18 engaging automatically. The tractor with its attachment may then be driven forward clearing the discharged heap before lowering it to its working position with the castor wheels 2] resting again on the ground.

Owing to the extreme rearward location of the castor wheels 21, most of the weight of the rotary brush and a substantial part, probably the greater part, of the weight of the remainder of the sweeping machine and its load will during normal working be carried by the larger ground wheels 16c. lt will be clear that passage of the casters over uneven ground will not be reflected by a variation of the height of the forward frame member and the brush.

We claim:

1. For attachment to a tractor a sweeping machine comprising: a frame having a front part and a rear part; sweeping mechanism including a brush rotatable about an axis of rotation and mounted on said front part; ground wheels on the front part for giving support from the ground to said part adjacent said brush; coupling means for connecting said front part to the tractor; ground engaging means on said rear part of the frame for giving support to said rear part; a sweepings collector mounted on said rear part of the frame; and a pivotal connection between said front part and said rear part of the frame, whereby, with said ground wheels maintaining contact with the ground to determine the height of the brush axis of rotation above the ground, the rear part of the frame is able to move up and down relatively to the front part as the sweeping machine is moved over uneven ground substantially without causing variation in the height of the said axis of rotation above the ground.

2. A sweeping machine according to claim 1, including stop means arranged to act between the front and rear parts of the frame, said stop means being adapted to limit downward rotation of the rear part relatively to the front part when said front part is lifted from the ground.

3. A sweeping machine according to claim 2, wherein said stop means comprise flexible tension means.

4. A sweeping machine according to claim 1, including arms carrying said ground wheels respectively, said arms being pivoted to and adjustable in angular position relatively to said front part of the frame in order to adjust the height of the brush axis of rotation above the ground.

5. For attachment to a tractor provided with hydraulic lifting gear, a sweeping machine comprising: a frame provided forwardly with coupling means for connection to the tractor lifting gear and rearwardly with ground-engaging means; sweeping mechanism supported by said frame and provided with driving means; a brush rotatable about an axis and forming part of the sweeping mechanism; ground wheels flanking said brush; pivoted levers carrying said ground wheels; said levers being pivotally secured to the frame and adjustable about their pivots to different positions to vary the height of the brush axis of rotation from the ground; a sweepings collector tiltably mounted as a unit on the frame rearwardly of the sweeping mechanism and movable relative to the frame between a normal or receiving position and a tilted position for discharge of collected sweepings forwardly in front of said unit; and control means adapted for operation from the tractor to effect, while the frame is raised by the hydraulic lifting gear, tilting of the sweepings collector between said nonnal or receiving and tilted positions.

6. For attachment to a tractor provided with hydraulic lifting gear, a sweeping machine comprising: a frame provided forwardly with coupling means for connection to the tractor lifting gear and rearwardly with ground-engaging means; sweeping mechanism supported by said frame and provided with driving means; a sweepings collector tiltably mounted as a unit on the frame rearwardly of the sweeping mechanism and movable relative to the frame between a normal or receiving position and a tilted position for discharge of collected sweepings forwardly in front of said unit; the sweepings collector being pivotally mounted on the frame near the center of gravity of the sweepings collector but sufficiently above the center of gravity for the sweepings collector to be gravity biased to the receiving position; a catch for holding the sweepings collector in the receiving position; a catch-release means adapted for operation from the tractor; and control meansadapted for operation from the tractor; and control means adapted for operation from the tractor to effect, while the frame is raised by the hydraulic lifting gear, tilting of the sweepings collector between said normal or receiving and tilted positions.

7. A sweeping machine according to claim 6, in which the sweepings collector has a rigid substantially impervious bottom part pivoted to the frame and an open mesh top part mounted on the bottom part.

8. For attachment to a tractor provided with hydraulic lifting gear, a sweeping machine comprising: a frame provided forwardly with coupling means for connection to the tractor lifting gear and rearwardly with ground-engaging means; sweeping mechanism supported by said frame and provided with driving means; a sweepings collector tiltably mounted as a unit on the frame rearwardly of the sweeping mechanism and movable relative to the frame between a normal or receiving position and a tilted position for discharge of collected sweepings forwardly in front of said unit; and control means adapted for operation from the tractor to effect, while the frame is raised by the hydraulic lifting gear, tilting of the sweepings collector between said normal or receiving and tilted positions, said frame including a front part supporting the sweeping mechanism and provided with ground wheels, a rear part provided with said ground-engaging means, a pivotal connection between the front part and the rear part to enable said rear part to move up and down relatively to said front part as the sweeping machine is moved over uneven ground with the ground wheels in contact with the ground, and stop means arranged to limit downward rotation of said rear part of the frame relatively to said front part of the frame when the frame is lifted. 

1. For attachment to a tractor a sweeping machine comprising: a frame having a front part and a rear part; sweeping mechanism including a brush rotatable about an axis of rotation and mounted on said front part; ground wheels on the front part for giving support from the ground to said part adjacent said brush; coupling means for connecting said front part to the tractor; ground engaging means on said rear part of the frame for giving support to said rear part; a sweepings collector mounted on said rear part of the frame; and a pivotal connection between said front part and said rear part of the frame, whereby, with said ground wheels maintaining contact with the ground to determine the height of the brush axis of rotation above the ground, the rear part of the frame is able to move up and down relatively to the front part as the sweeping machine is moved over uneven ground substantially without causing variation in the height of the said axis of rotation above the ground.
 2. A sweeping machine according to claim 1, including stop means arranged to act between the front and rear parts of the frame, said stop means being adapted to limit downward rotation of the rear part relatively to the front part when said front part is lifted from the ground.
 3. A sweeping machine according to claim 2, wherein said stop means comprise flexible tension means.
 4. A sweeping machine according to claim 1, including arms carrying said ground wheels respectively, said arms being pivoted to and adjustable in angular position relatively to said front part of the frame in order to adjust the height of the brush axis of rotation above the ground.
 5. For attachment to a tractor provided with hydraulic lifting gear, a sweeping machine comprising: a frame provided forwardly with coupling means for connection to the tractor lifting gear and rearwardly with ground-engaging means; sweeping mechanism supported by said frame and provided with driving means; a brush rotatable about an axis and forming part of the sweeping mechanism; ground wheels flanking said brush; pivoted levers carrying said ground wheels; said levers being pivotally secured to the frame and adjustable about their pivots to different positions to vary the height of the brush axis of rotation from the ground; a sweepings collector tiltably mounted as a unit on the frame rearwardly of the sweeping mechanism and movable relative to the frame between a normal or receiving position and a tilted position for discharge of collected sweepings forwardly in front of said unit; and control means adapted for operation from the tractor to effect, while the frame is raised by the hydraulic lifting gear, tilting of the sweepings collector between said normal or receiving and tilted positions.
 6. For attachment to a tractor provided with hydraulic lifting gear, a sweeping machine comprising: a frame provided forwardly with coupling means for connection to the tractor lifting gear and rearwardly with ground-engaging means; sweeping mechanism supported by said frame and provided with driving means; a sweepings collector tiltably mounted as a unit on the frame rearwardly of the sweeping mechanism and movable relative to the frame between a normal or receiving position and a tilted position for discharge of collected sweepings forwardly in front of said unit; the sweepings collector being pivotally mounted on the frame near the center of gravity of the sweepings collector but sufficiently above the center of gravity for the sweepings collector to be gravity biased to the receiving position; a catch for holding the sweepings collector in the receiving position; a catch-release means adapted for operation from the tractor; and control means adapted for operation from the Tractor; and control means adapted for operation from the tractor to effect, while the frame is raised by the hydraulic lifting gear, tilting of the sweepings collector between said normal or receiving and tilted positions.
 7. A sweeping machine according to claim 6, in which the sweepings collector has a rigid substantially impervious bottom part pivoted to the frame and an open mesh top part mounted on the bottom part.
 8. For attachment to a tractor provided with hydraulic lifting gear, a sweeping machine comprising: a frame provided forwardly with coupling means for connection to the tractor lifting gear and rearwardly with ground-engaging means; sweeping mechanism supported by said frame and provided with driving means; a sweepings collector tiltably mounted as a unit on the frame rearwardly of the sweeping mechanism and movable relative to the frame between a normal or receiving position and a tilted position for discharge of collected sweepings forwardly in front of said unit; and control means adapted for operation from the tractor to effect, while the frame is raised by the hydraulic lifting gear, tilting of the sweepings collector between said normal or receiving and tilted positions, said frame including a front part supporting the sweeping mechanism and provided with ground wheels, a rear part provided with said ground-engaging means, a pivotal connection between the front part and the rear part to enable said rear part to move up and down relatively to said front part as the sweeping machine is moved over uneven ground with the ground wheels in contact with the ground, and stop means arranged to limit downward rotation of said rear part of the frame relatively to said front part of the frame when the frame is lifted. 